Finding Purpose and Meaning Through Volunteer Opportunities

UJCES is honoring National Volunteer Week from Sunday, April 18 through Saturday, April 24, recognizing the wonderful individuals that take on volunteer opportunities to serve communities in need. During this celebration of service, we look back at one of our most rewarding partnerships.

When Volunteer Opportunities Returned, The HASC Center Stepped Up

In 2019, individuals from HASC Center began volunteering at one of UJCES’s food pantries. The volunteers would lend their assistance around Passover and other holidays. They were assigned tasks such as organizing, packing, and delivering food. During these volunteer opportunities they enjoyed the tasks they were given, and also met Daniel Valentino, Digital Food Pantry Coordinator. From these experiences, and meeting Daniel, the beginning of a meaningful relationship was born. 

HASC Center is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities by empowering them to participate and contribute to their communities. Their collaboration with UJCES has allowed them to meet and even surpass this goal. 

“Everyone at UJCES is phenomenal to communicate with, and the same to work with. Everyone in the food pantry treats our individuals like equals, and they are in an environment where they feel accepted and respected,” says Tzipporah Mincis, Assistant Supervisor at HASC Center. 

Finding a Sense of Purpose It's a Benefit of Volunteering

Staff from HASC Center say that volunteering at UJCES provides individuals an opportunity to gain job skills and equally, if not more valuable, gives them a sense of purpose and meaning. The volunteers learn the concept of giving to others; this can be especially meaningful to those who are most often in a position where they are on the receiving end.

Unfortunately, when Covid-19 emerged, and businesses were slowly forced to shut, HASC Center volunteers were faced with the reality of life during a pandemic and their volunteering efforts were put on hold. In late 2020, when NYC businesses and agencies began reopening, the HASC Center team began to explore volunteer opportunities again. They recalled their positive experiences with UJCES, and working with Daniel, and contacted him to see how they could fill needs at the digital pantry. After completing a few volunteer shifts as Food Pantry & Delivery Volunteers, volunteers from HASC committed to weekly shifts in this role starting in November 2020 and continue to volunteer today.

We’re beyond grateful for our relationship with HASC Center and the participants that volunteer with our food pantries. Operating under shared values, both HASC Center and UJCES gain immeasurably from a partnership marked by mutual respect and care.

Current volunteer opportunities include food pantry support and meal delivery assistance. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here for more information, or contact volunteer@ujces.org